Anise

Family: Apiaceae Umbel-forming herb

Planting Schedule

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Aromatic anise seed fragrance rises first—sweet, licorice-bright, and unmistakably warm—then lingers on the palate with a gentle, rounded intensity.

Expect feathery, finely divided foliage that feels airy and delicate, paired with umbels of tiny blossoms that mature into aromatic seeds over a long, steady season. Grow Anise for its distinctive seed character in breads, cookies, and spice blends, and for fresh herb sprigs that perfume sauces and pickles with a clean, fragrant lift.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Upright

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Anise Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Sep 16th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Sep 12th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Sep 10th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Sep 5th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Sep 1st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Aug 29th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Aug 23rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Aug 18th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Aug 8th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jul 30th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jul 21st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Jul 4th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Jun 9th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Anise is built for heat: toast the seeds and the licorice sweetness turns warm and nutty instead of flat. Use it sparingly—its aromatic punch is loud, but with pork, honey, or citrus it snaps into a clean, grown-up perfume.

Best Uses

steeping into syrup or tea for a clean anise perfume
baking into cookies, breads, and rye—seeds toast to nutty-sweet
folding into braises and tomato-based sauces where it rounds acidity
seasoning pork, lamb, and sausage mixtures for that classic candy-spice note

Flavor Profile

sweet licorice aroma warm spice up front snappy, aromatic seed bite comforting herbal finish

Kitchen Pairings

honey citrus (orange or lemon) pork or lamb fennel vanilla black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common pest or disease on Pimpinella anisum (anise), and how can I prevent it?

Anise often struggles with fungal leaf spots and powdery mildew, especially when air is humid and foliage stays wet. Water at the soil line, give plants full sun with good airflow, and remove the first spotted leaves; if mildew appears, treat early with a labeled horticultural sulfur spray and avoid wetting leaves for the rest of the week.

How often should I water anise during its main growth, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During active growth (after seedlings establish), keep the top 1 inch of soil lightly moist but not soggy—typically about 1 inch of water per week depending on heat and wind. Let the soil surface dry slightly between waterings to prevent root stress, since Pimpinella anisum doesn’t like waterlogged conditions.

How do I tell when Pimpinella anisum is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the umbels (seed heads) turn from green to light tan and most seeds look fully developed, usually around 90–120 days. Cut whole stems and dry them in a warm, airy spot, then rub or thresh to release the anise seeds.

What soil preparation and fertility does anise need for best growth and seed fill?

Prepare a deep, well-drained bed and work in compost so the soil is crumbly; anise prefers fertile but not heavily manured soil. Avoid high-nitrogen feeding (it encourages leafy growth at the expense of seed); if needed, apply a light, balanced fertilizer at planting and keep additional feeding minimal.

Should I space, thin, or direct-sow anise?

For direct sowing, plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and space rows about 12–18 inches apart, then thin seedlings to 6–10 inches once they’re a few inches tall. Aim to direct sow when possible because Pimpinella anisum can be slow and doesn’t always transplant well; if you start indoors, transplant carefully and avoid disturbing roots.

What’s a common beginner mistake with Pimpinella anisum, and when should I sow?

The biggest timing pitfall is sowing too cold—anise germinates best near 70°F and will stall or rot in cool, damp soil. Start outdoors only after nights are reliably mild, or germinate indoors at about 70°F, then move outdoors to full sun once established.